Thursday 17 December 2009

THE ANATOMY OF DRESSING WHEN IT'S REALLY REALLY COLD


It has happened. Real winter. It's really cold here. Minus a lot. Like it should be this time of year.
Only it hasn't been like that for years. But so far so good, we still haven't reached the part when it actually hurts to breathe. (But after a few hours work outside by the sea it hurts by now already I tell you, but I've done worse during past years. Not complaining though. Now that we're getting a white christmas and all).

I'm watching teenage girls and selfaware chicks freeze their behinds off in short jackets and skinny jeans. The sadistic asshole part of me secretly laughs at their vanity (or stupidity, however you want it) and makes me feel so relieved that I don't give a damn anymore in that sense - my first priority is to stay warm. (I saw a girl last weekend, visiting a Christmas outdoor fare, wearing satin peeptoes in the snowstorm. Not even I would go that far even though I may push it with wearing open heels as long as possible). I go for what Underbara Clara calls "The Finnish Winter War Chic". Something that she of course says with a pinch of salt and a whole lot of humor, referring to how Finland pre- WWII resisted the Soviet army with the help of an extremely hard and cold winter. And well with a whole lot o f military strategy too. (Those who know their history might find that slightly ironic since those who have tried to invade Russia or The Soviet failed, conquered by the cold. But this time it was the other way around. Sort of.)

But OK enough on war strategy now, the thing I'm after here is the dressing warm to survive the cold, making it nice with layers of knitted socks and sweaters, scarfs and thick jackets. And keeping warm is of course a strategy of it's own.

So here whe go:
The Anatomy of Dressing Warm When Really Really Cold Outside (& still trying to look good).

Fig.1The thing with layering, not the layering thrifty fashionistas do when they pair dresses tops and cadris, but the one that will keep you from freezing, is to have a lot of them - the layers- keeping tight but not being stuffed or unable to move. That will make you colder actually. You might want to add another pair of socks or leg warmers, and perhaps a long sleeved blouse under that cardi too, depends. (Oh damn it takes so long to get dressed in the morning!)


Fig.2But we're quite not done yet:

Fig.3They say the cold will last for two months still. If that's the case this is what I'll look like everyday for two months then. Versatility, yey!
...Unless I get myself a new winter jacket... (hehe).

56 comments:

B-b-b-etty said...

jag är nog lite underlig när jag aldrig riktigt brytt mig om hur jag ser ut, att vara varm har alltid varit nummer ett för mig. jag kör med täckbyxor nu, och en lång jacka från monki och ett par clarks-skor som man bara drar på sig. inget vintage alls, eller min basker bara. inte så tjusigt men åh så varmt!

Natalia L. said...

This is so awesome!!
I love the cold, though I never experienced the "Minus a lot" cold.. xDD
I always tell my husband I'd love to live up there!!

And about the look, as I said, is awesome! It's like I like to call it "the onion look"

Dave Feucht said...

The worst parts about this whole thing are two scenarios -

1.) it's -15 C outside and you just walked for 30 minutes in all these layers, then you arrive to your friends flat, which is 25 C inside, and you suddenly feel like you walked into an oven.

2.) You've just been out for the afternoon and you're coming home with all these layers on, and you have to pee so badly you're biting your lip. You arrive at your flat, throw the door open, run inside, and commence the 10 minute process of taking enough clothes off that you can use the toilet, hoping you won't be too late :)

I have to say, I really miss winters like that. Here it's rarely cold enough to wear more than a thin sweater, medium coat, and scarf (riding my bike everywhere I dress a little more warmly than I would walking, but still).

I find it kind of exciting to get all bundled up and walk out into the cold, only to have your eyebrows freeze and your ears start stinging immediately, rush to where you're going as fast as possible, and then throw all the layers off and have a warm cup of coffee or tea. Somehow it's kind of a cozy, comforting routine. Maybe I'm just strange :)

Bucca said...

lol fantastic I will send this to my sister she is travelling Europe at the moment and is in Romania where it is very very cold!

Malayka said...

Wow I can't even imagine it being so cold although on day I really would like to experience a real winter. Aside from the fact that in New Zealand we are just coming into Island don't get much below about 7degree's. Instead it just rains non stop and is depressing as hell. The biggest difference is probably that we have no in door heating so I sped most of winter wearing my jacket both in and out of the house!

Diva said...

The pictures are great !!! And I totally agree since thats how we dress in Sweden too. Layer upon layer. Still I´m off for Africa so all my luggage is basically ... t-shirts and blouses - Horray ! ;)

Rosie Unknown said...

THANK YOU! Canadian winter seems to have set in, and you'd think after living my whole life in Canada/Sweden, I would be used to the cold, but it still takes me by surprise every year.

Rosie Unknown said...

Hi!

I know I already commented on this post, but I wanted to let you know that I linked to it in a post. (http://rosieunknown.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-i-wore-layers-layers-and-more.html) I hope you don't mind.

Rosie

Q's Daydream said...

oh, this is fabulous! super great! :o)

Cristina said...

In this moment I love Spain. Your draws are amazing.

Emm said...

Oh your drawings are wonderful! Great work!

Angel said...

Woah... I don't know if I could live in a very very cold country.

It's only just turned to "winter" here and even then it's not that cold!

Eveliina said...

Make sure your red lipstick doesn't make your lips chap. Thank you, you just saved my day!

The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...

Betty Lou : jo, varmt är nog absolut min första prioritet också! Jag har ett par täckbyxor också som jag är helt beredd att använda. De råkar vara vintage, min mammas gamla :)

Sistinas : I think you have to visit first before you decide to move :)

Melancholic Optimist : So true! Not to forget scenario no3, as you go Christmas gift hunting among hundreds of other and its +25 in the store too where vendors run around in sleeveless tops and you start sweating like hell carrying half of your layers in your lap while trying to get some shopping done.

But yes, I know what you mean about the excitement, and most of all the relief afterwards when you've made it inside again and enjoy your cup of something hot.

Bucca : yup it can get real cold over there too

Ruby Roulette : That's the good thing over here, triple windows and severe heating.

Diva : Ooooh, how nice :)

Rosie Unknown : I know, the first days hits me as hard every year! As does the darkness.

Q, art-isima, Emm : thanks!

Angel : sometimes it's with the cold since everything sort of get more silent and clear... but I would prefer to spend winter in warmer regions though :)

Prefecta : True! I use great one by the way, it's real creamy and wont chap. By Gosh. But I do recommend using some heavy stuff underneath too, like bepanthen from the pharmacy or so.

Tifa said...

Åh så snyggt och smart! :D

Frollein von Sofa said...

This is unbelievable !! Last week I thought about your blog and I remembered that - at the beginning -you posted quite a lot of your wonderful illustrations, and I was going to ask you to do that again from time to time, because I missed them !! And what do I see now ?? This post is so clever and fun and the illustrations are just fabulous !

Thanks a lot and stay warm and cozy !!!

Anonymous said...

It's always a pleasure finding a new post in your blog :-)
Wish you could write few times a day :-)
It's cold in Croatia too, but mustn't complain because still don't know how minus a lot feels like :-))

GinCherry said...

Scenario 3 is the worst :D I "tried" it on myself :D Here also is minus a lot, about -15 and more, but I hope it doesn't last for a long :) My clothing anatomy is the same except the long wrap cardi cause I have warm coat and the second scarf :)

ina said...

As I am right now suffering incredibly hard from the darkness the best thing that could happen was the snow and the cold, when it's dark, muddy and wet the weather is just too raw, now it feels fresh and new. Minus 15'C is OK, the almost minus 20'C this morning even felt ok. But in the long run I'd prefer minus 5'C :)
And I'm happy to wear my new vintage fur-hat from Ofelia (fur is the warmest, but I find it ethically hard to use unless it's vintage, fortunately I love vintage)..

Anonymous said...

You are just fabulous! :))

Simone said...

genius!

Anonymous said...

I salute your layering advice - nothing keeps the cold away better! But I have to add that the material of your layers matters a lot. Thin layers of wool and silk, and not even the deadliest Siberian winter can hold you back! And as a skirt/dress person, my best friend are the woollen "bikershorts" (no idea what mameluck/villahousut is in English) that warm my legs and dear rear under the hem. If you don't have a pair yourself, your grandmother, that wise woman, will happily lend you some!

Anonymous said...

Fina tips. Tänkte bara nämna det här med material val ;silke/ull i underklännigen eller linnet är ett måste när det blir minusgrader. Underbara mot huden och dessutom tunna och sköna är de spetsprydda undertröjorna från Calida 70% silke resten ull, lite dyrt ca 500kr hos Twifit ,men SÅ värt det. Lindex har(haft) ull mamelucker för en billig peng.(och underställ för kliiga för mig)Sen så är det inte helt fel att lägga en fleece sula eller ylle sula i kängorna.
Tack för din fina blogg. Hoppas att jag snart kommer igång med ett eget/Kristina
PS, Det är ju inte den kompakta kylan som är värst utan om det blåser,burrr, nu är det härligt i Sthlm!

Elina said...

Vilken tjusig serie! Jag brukar lyckas hålla mig varm och stilfull hela vägen ner till skorna. Där tar det stopp. Som jag har letat i flera år men det finns inte skor som är tillräckligt varma och bekväma för promenaden till och från jobbet och samtidigt snygga. Så jag gav upp på den fronten. Jag köpte varma men fula och sedan byter jag när jag kommer fram till jobbet :)

Unknown said...

Fab post! It never gets so bitterly cold here as that, though when it's 0 us wimpy soft British people do moan and shiver! I need some slips very badly as I do love to wear skirts and just can't cope with the cold, even with opaque tights!

julie said...

Love this layering illustration, I would have to add another set of think bootie socks though, as my feet are always icy cold! I am in southern U.S. missing the snow that I had growing up in northern U.S. Snow is the only thing that makes winter fun if you ask me. Great blog!
Julie

padam padam said...

Great illustration! To warm your hands a bit more one can always use a so called "muff" or handwarmer. They are warm and stylish too!

pumps & luiers said...

fantastic drwings, you're a real artist!

it's gotten cold here too, not so cold though: warm clothes and winterjacket are enough to keep me warm here ;)

Anonymous said...

How much do I love this? A WHOLE LOT.

MothMouth said...

I really love this post, you basically extracted the survival guide for finnish winter!

The illustrations are neat too, did you happen to use Adobe Illustrator? ;)

Chantilliscious said...

amen to this conversation! Canada is so super cold and I recently did some articles on this, and I am happy to see that we have the exact same style and points when it comes to freezing cold fashion! lol
xox keep doing what you love! its fantastic!

FairyFiligree said...

Is that your cartoon skill? Really like the cartoons. It never gets to be so cold where I come from, but I feel the cold anyway, and whilst I just hate winter clothes with a passion, I wouldn't mind wrapping up so much anyway!

www.janetteria.com said...

Great work, Ulrika!

X♥X♥

jewlover2 said...

This post is freaking brilliant!!! I am posting a link to it EVERYWHERE...and it doesnt even get that cold around here. LOL

Lady said...

the layering scenario in winter (or not) is so familiar to us, northen, eastern europeans. nowadays it's minus 15 C a day and in this kind of weather I'm reduced to wearing really ugly, but really warm coat. good tip about soles, will happily apply it.
and I love the scarf over everything idea.

Fliris said...

I just looked at the weather forecast and it's actually colder here in Oslo than in Helsinki. But my layering is pretty much the same, only I don't have any slips and I wear at least two tights and don't have any wool skirts that I actually wear. I do however have the most fantastic winter boots with a rubber heel and laces ups without a zipper which are a bit more comfy than the one you just bought (I have them as well, they're actually called Iris, and they cost 200kr (nothing) so I had to have them). I tried to wear to scarves today, that worked wonders and I'll be doing it for the rest of this awful winter.

Iris

WendyB said...

I can't just wish the cold away? Because I've been trying.

The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...

Thank you all for the comments :)

Frollein von Sofa : yes, I'd like to draw more but I just don't have the time to...

Moth Mouth : Yes, CS3

Wendy B : No, we can't. We just have to take it and suffer.

www.janetteria.com said...

Hi Ulrika,

How are U?

Please don't forget to enter the brooches giveaways!

X♥X♥

Vanessa said...

I love the way you illustrated this! I'll definitely be taking some of this advice (I should really get some nice, long socks to put over my tights). Keep warm!

stina said...

Oh! I love this. Just what I needed. During cold winter I usually just go round looking like I'm on permanent ski-trip. But I'm definitly getting myself a woolskirt now, so I can look good and be warm.

Anonymous said...

You are one talented lady-beautiful drawings-you dress like me! Go glamour even in the snow and cold!!! Look forward to reading more of your delicious blogs!

Cheryl Lynn Pastor Romance Author said...

This is such a great post. It's nice to know that I am not alone in the how to dress stylishly warm in winter. I don't have a car, so I have to catch the bus to work, many times in sub-zero weather. I too laugh sadistically at those crazies who wear short jackets, no hat, no gloves, nothing covering their backsides in below EVERYTHING temperatures.

Your layered look idea is beautiful, fashion savvy, and warm all at once. Advice to most definitely be taken.

Good for you!

Ilona said...

I just love your drawings!

Merry Christmas ms Freelancer, hopefully this beautiful white lanscape stays for all the x-mas days :)

All Women Stalker said...

I like the idea of wearing red lipstick to match with any bulky and unsexy-like winter clothes :)

Miss Cherry said...

Haha! Underbara illustrationer!!!
Jag har tur jag, jag kan variera mig med flera olika ärvda pälskappor och jackor (egentligen blä, stackars djur som fått lida, tur att den nyaste jag har är från tidigt 70tal...)
Jag hatar verkligen det här med att behöva klä sig så jäkla mycket, jag hinner svimma i mitt eget svett innan jag har hunnit klä på min lilla son innan vi går ut och lika dant när vi kommer in! Jobbiga dagar försvinner stilen och skooteroverallen åker fram :D (Vad tror du om det med läppstift?)

Andrea Eames said...

Genius! I love this.

I just wanted to stop by and say merry Christmas - I hope you have a wonderful day! (And stay warm).

A xx

handwarmer coffee mugs said...

Welcome to the Buy French Pottery Store!
Shop our exclusive collection of handcrafted items. Our popular garlic grater plate comes in 4 unique designs. Our catalog features handmade items from France as well as other regions of the world.
handwarmer coffee mugs

photos onto canvas prints said...

I'm so glad it's warming up now. Good by cold days got know

Alexa Rae said...

I love the post, but love the drawings even more. Kudos to the drawer, artist, whatever's correct in the sense.

Sarah said...

I'm a bit late but I wanted to say thankyou for these great tips! I live in Sydney, Australia, so our Winters are much much warmer than yours, but I have very bad circulation so I still get really cold, and it's hard to buy proper warm clothes here - the Winter fashion in magazines can often include strappy shoes, cotton skirts, sleeveless dresses and little lightweight cardigans, and I have no idea how anybody goes out like that and lives to tell the tale.

It may seem crazy to someone who is used to below-zero temperatures, but honestly the whole situation makes me really miserable sometimes. I came to this blog hoping to find some ideas on how to actually remain warm this Winter while still looking OK, and this article is just perfect, I'll definitely be using these ideas. Thankyou so much for making it possible for me to be warm AND stylish for the first time ever!

The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...

Sarah : you're welcome :)

Nolita said...

It is minus 25 here in Estonia, so I have managed to wears skirts with the same tricks! Lots of cardigans, extra stockings etc.

FB: Nolita Vintage Shop & Blog
----www.nolitavintage.com---

Anonymous said...

Hi, i'm with Sarah, Fashion in Australia, is about being cool. Its Gets cold, but there is now way to get my head around that cold. i panic and rush around getting cardies at 25c. Winter here is maybe 6c on a cold nite.
Us brisbane girls just add layers to summer dresses. I read alot and just love your ww11 fashion discription, its lovely.
Thank you for sharing with me, i like your sister hood.
Kind regards Jacky Matthews

Anonymous said...

great ideas!

Marlin said...

lovely blog post, beautiful photos and great tips!